With Galil Mountain's 2006 Barbera now making its way to market, just about everyone is curious. I had tasted this wine earlier in pre-release and I too was curious. I did not make it to the unveiling of the wine at the winery but did receive a bottle for tasting several days ago, that today making its way into my blind tastings (in the case of various Barbera d'Asti, Barbera d'Alba, and other wines made entirely from Barbera grapes). My tasting note follows.

BestRogov

Galil Mountain, Barbera, 2006: Showing darker, deeper and even more impressive than at an advance tasting. Now showing medium- to full-bodied, almost inky ruby towards garnet in color, with its impressive 15% alcohol content in fine balance with wood, tannins and fruit. On the nose and palate blackberries, blueberries, plums and violets, those supported nicely by notes of vanilla, milk chocolate and, rising on the long finish notes of black pepper, minerals and red cherries. Generous but gently mouth-coating tannins, fine concentration make this supple wine a fine candidate for drinking now or for cellaring until 2011. About as fine as you're going to find anywhere with Barbera. At NIS 60 (about US$ 18) unbeatable value for money. Score 91. K

Galil Mountain winery does it best: offering high quality at affordable prices.Unlike some others in the "big" wineries list in Israel (big means here anything from 400,000 bottles), they do not release any "average" wine.And yet, even their top label: the Yiron, that was given by Rogov a record score of 93 for the 2005, can be found for less in NIS: 89.99 before discount at a major chain.Daniel, thanks for the notes, I am, curious to see how the Galil Barbera stands with other Barbera available in Israel, especially the Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti which is offered at the same price range with a very good QPR, and the Cascina Orsolina, Barbera d'Asti Superiore, 2004 at double the price.I will try the Galil Barbera for sure.

Following are my tasting notes for several of the Italian Barbera based wines tasted or re-tasted in my blind tasting today together with the Galil Mountain release and several that were tasted within the last 2 months. The wines you specifically asked about are included....

Domenico Clerico, Barbera d'Alba, Trevigne, Piedmont, 2004: A very nice Barbera, showing medium- to full-bodied, with generous soft tannins well balanced by acidity and fruits. On the nose and palate raspberries and strawberries, those with appealing overlays of licorice and lightly spicy wood. As the acidity rises a bit look for a long citrus-like finish. Drink now. Score 90.

Michele Chiarlo, Barbera d'Asti Superiore, Cipresse della Court, Piedmont, 2004: Michele Chiarlo makes some fine Barberas and, reflecting a fine vintage, this may be one of the best he has ever done. Dark cherry red, medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins already itegrated nicely with a light spicy oak nature. On first attack violets and vanilla, those going to blackberries, plums and minerals, all leading to a generously fruity finish Drink now-2009. Score 91

Renato Ratti, Barbera d'Alba, Torriglione, Piedmont, 2005: Medium-bodied, with soft tannins and gentle hints of smoky and spicy oak and cedar. On the nose and palate appealing red currant and wild berry fruits. Not complex and not for long term cellaring but a very good match to small cuts of beef or mutton. Drink now-2009.

Vietti, Barbera d'Alba, Scarrone, Vigna Vecchia, Piedmont, 2005: Almost as good as the very, very good 1998 wine. Full bodied, still firmly tannic at this stage but with fine balance and structure that bode well for the future. Opens to reveal cherries, raspberries and purple plums on the nose and palate, those complemented by hints of baking chocolate and vanilla. On the long finish hints of red licorice. Best 2009-2014. Score 91.

Vietti, Barbera d'Alba, Scarrone, Vigna Vecchia, Piedmont, 1998: With its once searing tannins now integrated nicely with spicy wood and finally showing its inherent elegance. Opens with purple plums and licorice, those yielding to red cherry, citrus peel and vanilla and finally, on the long finish an appealing hint of raisins. Drinking beautifully now but don't hesitate to cellar until 2011. Score 93

Michele Chiarlo, Barbera d'Asti Superiore, La Corte, Piedmont, 2004: Youthful dark royal purple in color, medium-bodied, with soft tannins, a light spicy element imparted from oak-aging made as always it is from 100% Barbera and showing fine balance. Opens to show an appealing array of red berries, cassis, and red licorice and, on the long finish a hint of dark chocolate. Drink now-2013. Score 90.

Michele Chiarlo, Barbera d'Asti Superiore, Cipresse della Court, Piedmont, 2004: Michele Chiarlo makes some fine Barberas and, reflecting a fine vintage, this may be one of the best he has ever done. Dark cherry red, medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins already itegrated nicely with a light spicy oak nature. On first attack violets and vanilla, those going to blackberries, plums and minerals, all leading to a generously fruity finish Drink now-2009. Score 91

Looking forward to finding the Galil Barbera in the states. Recently, I had the pleasure of trying the Dalton Barbera (can't recall the vintage but pretty sure it was the most recent release). How do you think the Dalton and Galil Barberas compare from a style and quality standpoint?

Very good news, I will seek out some bottles. This wine "reads" like it is very different from some of the Italian Barberas that are listed in Daniel's post. That is not a bad thing though, as long as the difference in style is recognized. We need more Israeli wineries that experiment with new varietals and add their own interpretation to them.

Thanks for the tasting notes. I was wondering about this specific wine:Michele Chiarlo, Barbera d'Asti Le Orme - which is sold in the price range of the the Galil Mountain wine.The other more superior labels, start at double the price.

2001 Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti Superiore Le Orme - Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti Superiore (2/17/2005)A nice Barbera, with a strong acidic back bone. I like it better than the "Ciprese della Court" range of the same producer. Guess this one is more traditional very food friendly. The 2001 is still OK at the moment, but should be drunk soon. (87 pts.)

I saw this in a shop this afternoon and opened a bottle tonight. Most enjoyable, with a very refined and smooth feel. Seems just ready to drink now. Oh yes, I also managed to get it for only NIS 50 which makes it a real bargain as well (not that NIS 60 wouldn't be a bargain as well, but ...)!

Picked up a few bottles. At 55 NIS I'm willing to purchase before tasting based on the notes in this thread.

I think Galil Mountain gives the best value for money of any Israeli winery, and I've rarely been dissapointed with any of their wines. I'll open a bottle when I get the chance and post my opinion.

Regaring the other Israeli Barbera, I like the Recanati and it captures something of the 'raspy' Barbera style. I've also tried the Dalton Batbera and found it simpler and less distinctly Barbera than the Recanati, but still a good wine.

Barbera is a great match for dishes with tomato sauce, where the acidity of the tomato gives other reds a hard time.

I just posted some pictures of my first tasting on the FLDG Forum Kitchen board of this wine - viewtopic.php?f=5&t=15139&p=146947#p146947. I shared it with fellow forum member Avi Hein, the blogster of "Hakerem - Israeli Wine 2.0."I purchased two bottles, one from two different stores in Machaneh Yehudah Shuk this afternoon for 55 NIS.

I tasted the Galil Mountain Barbera tonight (along with some other GHW wines) at Wine route in Modiin.

Jan, you're right, this is less typical of Barbera and more like most ripe Israeli reds. It's very fruity and is softer and less tangy than other Israeli Barbera. I wouldn't go as far as to say it was full bodied, but it's at least medium bodied and the concentrated fruit and high alcohool give it a soft warm feel in the mouth. The wood is quite gentle and definitely not overdone, so it adds complexity without taking away from the fruit. A very good wine that will probably be even better in another year or so.

This is a very good wine at a great price, that will probably be even better in another year or so. It's just not a light tangy Barbera to have with Pizza or pasta. It needs a more meaty dish, maybe Osso Buco Milanese?